A Forward Head Position Can Lead To Central Nervous System Dysfunction

Wherever you live, Professor Rothbart can help you at home.
Information on Long Distance Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy:Video – Long Distance Therapy For Chronic PainLong Distance Therapy Increases Options For Chronic Pain Patients
See if an Initial Phone Consultation will benefit you:Why A Consultation With Dr. Rothbart Is Different Than With Other DoctorsProfile Of A Typical Candidate For Therapy

A forward head position not only looks unattractive, it also can create havoc in your central nervous system. A dysfunctional central nervous system not only creates insomnia, depression, anxiety and brain fog, it can also result in chronic pain.

In 2008, investigators at Northwestern University’s School of Medicine published a paper on their discovery of an alteration in central nervous system function in people suffering from chronic pain. They felt that this alteration in brain function may explain how chronic pain can trigger such symptoms as insomnia, depression, anxiety and/or mental sluggishness.

The investigators further explained that the front region of the brain, in a person suffering from chronic pain, is consistently active. This, they suggested, will prematurely wear out the neurons, altering their connections to one another. They believed that this may lead not only to the symptoms above, but also to permanent brain damage.

Based on 45 years of clinical research, what I have suggested is that focal areas of hyperactivity within the cerebral cortex (part of the central nervous system) may result from ischemia (decreased blood flow) due to a positional compression of the carotid arteries on either side of your neck.

Compressing these carotid arteries can diminish the flow of blood to your brain much like a kink in a water hose can diminish the flow of water through the hose. Diminished blood flow can lead to cellular death in your brain. The end results are symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety and/or mental sluggishness and finally, permanent brain damage.

The question is, what causes a positional compression of your carotid arteries? My research suggests that this compression can result from a forward head position. (See image below).

When your head is in a forward position, your carotid arteries (the red arrows in the animation below point to the ceratoid arteries) are more susceptible to being compressed. This compression can dramatically decrease the blood flow to your brain.

The impact a forward head position has on the blood flow to your brain is clinically observable by taking the carotid pulses:

When your head is in a forward position, the carotid pulses are weaker.

When your head is over the spine, the carotid pulses are stronger.

A Forward Head Position Leading To Central Nervous System Dysfunction – What Is The Cause?

A forward head position is part of a postural distortional pattern caused by two abnormal embryological foot structures – Rothbarts Foot and PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity.

How this all fits together:

All feet have mechanical receptors on their plantar surfaces (the bottom of the feet) which send signals from the feet to the brain. The brain responds by automatically adjusting the posture.

If you have ‘normal’ feet, the signals sent to your brain are not distorted and so your brain automatically maintains good posture. But if you have an abnormal foot structure – the Rothbarts Foot or Preclinical Clubfoot Deformity – distorted signals are sent to your brain. Your brain responds by distorting your posture. And part of this postural distortion is a forward head position.

This forward head position is seen in most patients who have chronic muscle and joint pain. Many of these same patients also have insomnia, depression, anxiety and/or mental sluggishness.

How To Reverse Your Forward Head Position

Your forward head position can be effectively reversed using Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy, which effectively and permanently corrects your posture and brings your forward head back over your spine. When this takes place, the compression on your carotid arteries is diminished. This allows the blood to flow more freely to your brain. Your brain can now function optimally.

If you’re having symptoms that indicate a central nervous system dysfunction, take a look at some of your profile photos. If your head is forward, instead of directly over your shoulders, this may be the reason for these symptoms. And if you have a forward head position, you probably also have a Rothbarts Foot or PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity and are also suffering with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Reading the Curing Chronic Pain website will give you more information about the abnormal foot structures Professor/Dr. Rothbart discovered that cause many forms of chronic muscle and joint pain and help you determine whether an Initial Phone Consultation with him might be helpful.

As you learn more about Professor/Dr. Rothbart’s innovative therapy, you may find that addressing and effectively treating your foot structure may be the missing link to ending your long time battle with unrelenting muscle and joint pain.

If you have questions about what’s involved in being treated with Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy by long distance, see our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Page by clicking here.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe To The Newsletter!

Type in your name and email below to receive Professor/Dr. Rothbart's newsletter. You will immediately receive your user name and password to access your FREE chapter from his new book, "The Foot's Connection To Chronic Pain."

* Email

* First Name

* Last Name

* = Required Field

Register now. You many unsubscribe at any time.
Your privacy will be respected.